Where is the shame? We need to know it's there, because I tell you boys there's plenty of embarrassment out there. Pakistan were once famous for being cornered tigers but they are now frightened rabbits. Where is the shame boys? Where is the pride? You might carry it in your hearts but you also need to wear it on your sleeves.

Pakistan fans are often criticised for being fickle, but the reality is--and it's obvious reading comments on this blog--that success in cricket really matters to Pakistanis everywhere. We need to know and see that it also matters to the players, captain, and coach. When this World Cup becomes history it will be the performances of the players and the achievements of the captain and coach that will be remembered. The failings--and they are genuine failings--of the administrators will be barely considered.

The bottom line is that the squad and management must succeed despite the crazy way the country's cricket is run. They might not owe it to their cricket board but they certainly owe it to their many millions of die-hard supporters. Let's hope we see a different Pakistan and different leadership in a month's time.

Pakistan's equipment went missing recently but nobody told us that they'd lost their heart as well.

I completely agree Kamran, that our team does not know how to show any character.

I watched the entire match today, and have come to the conclusion that they don't remember how to fight.

What happened to the team of 92?

Also, our own captain needs to stand up and lead from the front? Kamran at #4? Inzy himself at #6?

What captain bats at #6? Well beyond me...

I would be very surprised if Pakistan go past super 8 in world cup. They are basically an incomplete team. How can they think to win world cup when they do not have good openers at all. Plus Inzi is no genius in captaincy to think of a working strategy.

Moreover Pakistan lacks the aggression. I do not understand why they got rid of Waqar Younis as bowling coach who was doing good job with all fast bowlers, and ever since he is gone, the discipline in bowlers and their performance gone down. What was the reason of bringing Mushtaq Ahmed?? Tableeghis want to control team, they think they can worship their way to win world cup.

This is unbelievable. I WAS a hardcore fan of Pakistani cricket before SA series but they have let all of us down so badly…I can’t even motivate myself to watch world cup even though I have paid for it. Is there any accountability process for PCB? In fact can Inzamam and Woolmer justify few things e.g. can they justify the inclusion of RANA in world up squad? In his last 5 one days ( make it 6 if we include 20) he has conceded runs at an average of OVER 9 runs an over…..how can you include that kind of SO CALLED bowler in world cup squad and even in last two one days that we played in SA he shouldn’t be there. Can they justify their continuation of Kamran Akmal in team? They purposely did not give chance to Zulkernain Haider so that Kamran Akmal could be an automatic selection…by the way he has scored less than 10 runs per match in his last 6 limited over appearances (and even in England series)…I was so disappointed to see him standing behind the wickets in last 4 one day. Kamran Akmal has no technique to open an innings especially in SA. What is Mushtaq’s role in team? Pleaseeeeeee give us a leader who can motivate his players…please give us a leader who can put his personal friendships (Rana and Akmal in team) behind and think for the pride of country…please take out Rana from world cup squad, I hate Sami but he is still better than aging Rana.....aaaaahhhhhhhhh HOW CAN YOU BE SO MEAN INZAMAM YOU SHOULD HAVE GIVEN CHANCE TO OTHER PLAYERS IN SA SERIES SO THAT WE COULD HAVE OPTIONS FOR WORLD CUP....

As much as it hurts, the reality is that the players which are selected for this WC : are not mentally tough enough,are not talented enough, are not fit enough and very worryingly are not committed enough.
I agree with Kamran bhai that they look so lethargic. I feel like a stupid rooting for these pakistani players who give a damm about their performances.
Atleast put up a performance, i am not asking to win every match. Just be competitve. Show people that you are international cricketers selected from 1000z and 1000z of cricketers around the country. Seems like pakistani cricket is all about "who-knows-who" and weather ur a " Yes-Sir " to inzi.
What a shame !

It was without doubt an embarassing performance by Pakistan. Although South Africans bowled well, it was well assisted by poor batting of Pakistan and at the end, once again, there were not enough runs on the board for the bowlers to defend.

Next stop is West Indies - the big show time. And we are still experimenting with our openers. While Younis is scoring at number 3 position, there is still experimantation going on at that slot. This leaves Inzi to come at number 6 when all upper order players are gone. Hafeez is a waste and he proved it today. Well, at this time, if we make it to top four in the world cup - it will be a dignified effort from this team.

Bits & pieces cricketers are just that. Can anyone tell me what the one-day specialists achieved? Razzaq, Rana (why was played in all 5 matches) whoever penned his name on the final sheet needs to be shot. Any form of cricket needs cricketers. Did anyone noticed that pakistan batting failed. Why wasn't Asim Kamal played? Why wasn't Malik put to open? Did they realize they were up againt a quality pace attack ( not a club side). Why was a failure like Akaml persisted with for 5 matches (who penned his name on the final sheet should be tortured as we the fans were tortured in watching his dismal failures. This team cannot even beat Ireland. And who selected Akhtar (a person that should only play near a hospital). Well Bangladesh certainly shows more cricketing skills and captaincy brains than Pakistan. They are a bunch of losers (sorry Yousuf, you're exceptional).

YEP! Told you one success does not mean (2nd ODI) anything. Our players have NEVER shown any consistency as a GROUP. I do not think that we had the selection bad, it was one of the best team ON PAPER minus SHOAIB. Only thing I can blame management off is how they handle our only spoiled child SHOAIB , a match winner. We do not have a match winner left in our team. Whateever little hope you have off miracles is when you have Shoaib bowling on all 4 cylinders. Handle that man with some plan and patience and he may deliver some goods for atleast couple of years. Leave poor Asif some breathing room! Get a FAST BOWLING coach. Drop big names if not playing well for last 5-6 matches.
MAN, MY ULCER HAS LOT TO do with this team. It is my dream to see this team perform (not win all the time but show some spine) consistently.
Good luck with World Cup..maybe just maybe because of INCOSISTENCY they may even pull this one from the hat..Some dream huh!!! but you never know! keep your anatcids around!

Is this the team that we are supposed to compete with in the world cup? What has PCB seen in Rana Naveed, Mohammad Hafeez to be sent to the world cup? I would rather give someone young a chance to get some experience. This team looks like they have no motivation, no sense of direction. The way PCB is running the show is embarassing. Why did they reject the idea of different surfaces for our players to practice on before they were sent to S.A.? Pakistan has a problem performing in England, S.A., N.Z, Australia for a long time now. Yet still they would rather spend large amounts of money on English lawyers rather then education of their own players?

“Pakistan’s equipment goes missing” reads the headline. Yes, indeed.

We have to be realistic. The team is struggling with injuries, has only a few good players, and was outplayed by a superior team. I think at this time fans should support the team. Not uncritically, though.

I would say one of the biggest problems (of many) is the persistent failure of top order Pakistan batting. This creates a batting crisis almost every single time. The current opening pair of Hafeez and Imran Nazir (endorsed by -the surprisingly influential with Pakistan selectors-Dr. Abbasi) selected for the world cup looks to be a disaster. And forcing Kamran Akmal as an opening batsman does not seem to work either.

And why was Hafeez, who averages 18 runs in ODIs selected? Was it because of a superior performance in South Africa? The panic recall of Imran Nazir was another stupid decision. A talented batsman on a good day perhaps, but undisciplined and with a long history of underperformance, averaging about 23 runs from 61 ODIs. Why not Hameed who averages 39 from 50 ODIs?

I think this is the weakest and most troubled Pakistan team to enter a World Cup. An unfair and failed selection policy (based on nepotism, and rewarding mediocrity and inconsistency) is in large part responsible for this.

Having said that, the team does have some talented players and should be able to bounce back. While expectations of winning the World Cup would take one into the realm of pure fantasy, we look forward to some good games from the Pakistan team.

Kamran if you adapt this policy of "hope for the best and be prepared for the worst" then you'll not feel bad and you won't be embarrased either.

I knew what was gonna happen so I am neither sad nor embarrassed. The only thing I didn't like is some people learn from their mistakes but Pakistan's coach, captain and selectors keep repeating their mistakes.

Cheer up Mr. Kamran Abbassi get yourself a HOT CUPPA (non-alchololic) TEA. :-)

Whats the surprise here, Kamran? When has a Pakistan team EVER shown at Heart, or Fight against AUSTRALIA or SOUTH AFRICA since 1994? NEVER. Thats the cold answer - which is 100% accurate. Every single Pakistani fan conveniently forgets all the thrashings Pakistan receive when they play Australia or South Africa, as soon as we notch up victories against LESSER teams like West Indies, Sri Lanka, and India. Whenever we win against those teams, suddenly everyone (including you Kamran) forget about the 3-0 thrashings we recieve at the hands of the Aussies time and time again, or the fact that in countless visits to South Africa, our batting has collapsed time and time again, be in 1997-98, 2003,2004, or 2006-2007. Blaming Inzy or Bob or the Sun or the Moon - wont make a damn difference unless the PCB itself chalks up a LONG-TERM policy to make Pakistan the BEST team in the world. If they do that, then automatically they will come to realize that winning against AUSTRALIA and SOUTH AFRICA - the two top teams of the world - is the only way for Pakistan to become the BEST - and as such they must get rid of players like Razzaq, Rana Naveed, Hafeez, etc who are simply flat-track wonders who will never be mentally tough enough to succeed against top teams. The PCB needs to set up regular series against Australia like India has, so that our player compete against the best and get better with time, instead of playing weak sides and thinking they are god's gift to the cricketing world. Our problem is that after we get thrashed in one world cup we look at the next one - we fire our captain, coach, manager and blame them for everything thats gone wrong. We blame them for the loss. But we NEVER blame the true culprit - that is the so-called 'superstars' who are mentally WEAK and can NOT handle preassure from top teams...and the administrators who have always gotten away scott free with their miss-management. This World Cup is going to be another disaster and once its over - Bob Woolmer will unfortunately be forced out, which will be a huge loss because he`s the only coach Pakistan has ever had who works hard on the players and doesent care if his name or picture is in the paper ( unlike guys like Miandad,Intikhab Alam,Zaheer Abbas etc) who think they are behind every win when they were in charge and blame the players as soon as they lose - but as usual we Pakistanis like to blame others for everything that we fail at so I guess Bob will be forced out as will Inzamam - who despite recent poor form is more mentally tough than any of the Nazirs, Farhats, Hafeezs, Razzaqs, Ranas put together. Instead of blaming Bob and Inzy, we need to blame the mentally weak lot of Razzaq,Rana,Hafeez, and the PCB Management for not preparing players like Yasir Arafat, Salman Butt, and other fast bowlers like Irshad,Niazi,etc - for the last 2 years so we would have a good back up. Razzaq knows his place is assured and as such he has been bowling RUBBISH for over a year now and has been batting like a number 11 slogger who looks like he can get out anytime. Rana Naveed is in the team only because his family must be paying Wasim Bari and Nasim Asharaff some big bucks....because he has been worse than a club bowler since England, yet continues to play for Pakistan. This while Arafat,Niazi,Ayub,etc are sitting at home cooling their heels. Forget abt the World cup ..... this team doesent even deserve a send off.

Speaking of Mr. Rana Naveed ul hassan, i realized that i was the fastest bowler for my "mohalla" team some 10 years back. I know a bit of inswing too. Not mug with a bat either..Any chance of me getting into WC squad as suppose to Rana ?

Dear Kamran:

The team has been thrown into disarray and as a result not performing to their ability.

Inzimam has shown time and again poor leadership qualities. He is not an astute leader and a wise decision maker. At this level, or for that matter in any team sport, decision making process has to evolve through consensus.

The key players have shown enough signs to suggest that all is not well within their ranks and file.

Even to the naked eye, it is evident where the fault line has been lying within the playing eleven.

You put forward your best foot forward while representing your country at this level. This is no way to persist with players who are more of a liability than an asset.

Tired and tried horses who can hardly sprint, will not reach the finish line.

Many would continue to rue the fact that some young prospects from the U-19 champion team who are now in their twenties were ignored, unjustly.

This reality is beginning to dawn sooner rather than later!

Will Dr. Nasim Ashraf (a highly respected professional in his field of expertise)hasten this process of finalizing the PCB charter and constitution, please.

Time may be running out for him as well - as PCB chief of sort (after all, he is an appointee by an interim order - though times are not far when the PCB head would be an elected member and not a selected person).

In this modern era and day of open communications, the PCB chief would be well advised to seek input from anyone and everyone. This can take place courtsey, Kamran Abbasi's Pak spin or PCB could put up a blog of their own on their website and invite suggestions in this regard. There would be a lot of useful input, forthcoming.

Thanks!

Mohsin Malik
A free consultant

I am not embarrased, I am purple with anger! Losing a match to a wonderful outfit is not a shame, but SURRENDERING without a fight is!

I would also like to know what the team DOES the night before the matches. A whole night of "nafal" prayers is not what is needed for the fight coming up the next day. Neither is partying and in some cases boozing. Rest and conservation of energy is what is paramount here. A little prayer always helps though!

What is also required is a team psycho-therapist.
Players should contain their anger in public. If the WI win their match against Pak due to the enforced ban on Shahid Afridi, who is to be blamed?
Player by player, Pakistan has a team as good or even better than any. But as a team? I leave it to you to judge.

There is reallz nothing more to saz to the dismal performance of our so-called cricket professionals. But somehow being a Pakistani I keep hoping against hope that they might click in the World Cup. That is different ball game, we are not fovourites, we could get pitches suited to our type of play and most importantly we are placed in a relatively easy group. By the time we reach the 8 teams group, the likes of Shoiab Akhtar and Umar Gul would have recovered and Afridi would again be available. Maybe I am too much of an optimist.

I would like to know from all of Bob WoolOverEyesMer's groupies, what has he exactly accmomplished during his three year fleecing stint as a pathetic excuse of a coach of Pakistan team? No series wins abroad, and no Sri Lanka doesn't count. No set openers, constant changes to the batting lineup, same pathetic fielding, making the wrong calls during several high profile and important tournament matches (batting first in 2003 Champions Trophy Semis and etc.). Sticking to same pathetic players, spending extra vacations outside of the country, hence no knowledge of domestic players, no eye for any talent even if it him right smack in his eyes. No pro-active strategies against opposition teams, only reacting and taking action after receiving a serious drubbing.

This guy used to make strategy and select players on the basis of what a bunch of kids posted on his website. How can anything serious or prudent be expected from the biggest scam artist and under performing coach. He never got South Africa to do anything, never won the World Cup or won a series against the Australians and if it wasn't the poor Cronje and other great players in the South African team, Bobby boy would have buried them alongside other pathetic teams of that time.

Now, enjoy the fruits of your inferiority complex and your love for any and all things gora...Next coach of Pakistan team ought to be a janitor of some small county ground.

What more do you expect? This team is full of has-been's like Rana Naveed,Abdul Razzaq and Co - they should be ashamed of wearing the national colors with the kind of pathetic performance both Naveed and Razzaq have been displaying. They all think that God will make them win and when they lose - its God's wish. The Tableegis are running the roost. The PCB needs to educate these fools that God does not reward lazy,cowardly and unprofessional fools who embarass their country time and time again. If they want to practice Jamaat, they may kindly get their ass out of the cricket team and leave the cricket to professionals who have some sense of pride in their performance.

Pakistani cricket team should abort "mission worldcup" at once and start selling CHUWARAY!!

SHUKRIA!!!

Here is bit of a advice for my fellow countrymen, please do not waste your time, energy or money watching Pakistan play in the World Cup. Just skip the tournment.

Pakistan would crash out of the tournament rather pathetically very early on. If they some how make it to the second round, they will surely end up being the last team, with most likely no wins to their name.

After the tournament Bob Woolmer would be given the Foreign Ministry along with Nishan-e-Haider, would be the first instance that it would be given to a living person.

Kamran Sahib, The pilgrims WC eleven (minus the messiah; Kaneria)is crapping all over the field AGAIN. The world beater's and THE experienced are eager to return to the pavilion cause their back hurts, that's leading from the front, leading out of the park that is. Enough of this garbage about going with experience! What has experience given Pakistan?. The approach of try and try again with the same result has gotten Pakistan nowhere. Does the term “job security” mean anything? This is typical South Asian mentality. We are too afraid to suggest and accept change. So damn hung up on experience that everything becomes a boring sordid classic. Change is taboo, oh don't suggest debutante cause we can't tinker with tried and failed. Absolute grade A unadulterated horse manure. Look, this is not a typical fan reaction where you lose one and frenzy takes over, this pattern of losing is becoming a norm.

You can pontificate till the cows come home but the fact is you play to win; this attitude of putting up a good fight is nonsense. It’s all about winning and if you go down, you do it so the opponent will walk away thanking their stars that they stole one from you. This Pilgrim attitude of bending over every time and asking; hope you brought some guten schlick with you? Is degrading and embarrassing.

I echo the words of Imran Qureshi from New Jersey and feel his frustration with this “business as usual” crap. Pakistan needs a bold approach. Delusional thinking and hoping for the best has to be stopped. This attitude of Inshallah we will win isn’t going to cut it. (khudie ko kar balund itna kay …)It hasn’t yet! Wouldn’t it be refreshing to do something different even crazy, hell business as usual isn’t getting you any where, be bold, unpredictable, stick your neck out rather than getting beat at the hands of the “They also ran group”.

Who the heck knows, the same fumbling bumbling gang may go to the Caribbean and win a few. This does not change anything. Pakistan needs to clean house starting with the law firm of Bob, Bari and Inzi. Second, select player’s based on form and fitness rather than experience and reputation. AMF!

well as i was watching the game today a friend pointed out that younus is out there after an over or so (a couple i we're lucky) in every match, he's virtually opening the innings. so y not try him as the opener in the first place? i mean even the likes of inzi and yousuf face difficuties when they are new at crease on the other hand i think younus was the only pakistani batsman who played every ball as confidently as he did on the tour from the word go. So...younus opening with nazir/hafeez followed by yousuf and inzi and then all those part timers, is that an option?

Again, Pakistan have shown how feeble they really are. They lack the commitment, effort & drive when it matters in crunch matches. I mean come on anyone including lower ranked teams could have beaten Pakistan today and NO it was not South Africa's effort that contributed to Pakistan's loss. South Africa just went about playing their normal game and Pakistan faltered on their own by playing loose shots. So therefore, South Africa don't deserve the credit, Pakistan self destructed as usual. This is why I think people should not praise South Africa's efforts that highly.
How long will excuses such as "they're not able to play on bouncy tracks" be used as Rameez Raja keeps saying. I think I would have done better then most of the Pakistani batsmen barring Shoaib Malik. At least I would have stuck around until the end of 50 overs and have pushed hard for singles unlike the Pakistani batsmen. They cant even do that! The batsmen are reckless and irresponsible as seen throughout this tour of South Africa. Well, these excuses are no longer acceptable. I think these cricketers don't care about their fans otherwise they will be trying harder. First of all Inzi is not good enough to captain the team, they need a figure like Wasim Akram or Imran Khan to push them on the field. Inzi seems too laid back and doesn't try hard enough to restrict singles, anyway it doesnt matter as fielding isn't one of pakistan's strong points. But at this moment it seems they are also weak in batting and bowling apart from Asif. However, I dont want to sound harsh but I feel Asif needs to bowl a little faster then 80mph. For example when Wasim Akram was in his prime he use to bowl in the high 80's touching 90 and would move the ball both ways as he was the master of swing. Asif is young and he should try doing some weight lifting like Shoiab Akhtar to build on his strength because he looks a bit thin. Back to what I was saying, I don't know what will happen in the world cup things might change and it will be down to Inzi and Bob to give the boys and lift. Personally I would like to see Imran Khan back as a coach and Bob out as at least communication will not be an issue and it seems only Imran can bring back the glory days at least through coaching the team as he did in the 1992 world cup. Therefore, Imran should leave politics and get back to something hes good at to revive Pakistani cricket.

they are a complete bunch of rubbish apart from yusuf.I am a die hard fan but i will not follow this rubbish. As a doctor i been watching them while oncall but never seen such a poor performance. I rather follow Bangladesh atleast they have spine to stand.

Not much surprise here though. Rana Naveed seems to be competing for the title off most expensive bowler in history. Well he and Kaneria should compete to see who gives away the most runs in the worldcup.

I have been just looking at the averages off all the openers that have been used since the previous worldcup. Yasir Hameed stands head and shoulders above the rest with an average of 39.12.Incidentally the second best performer was Saleem Elahi with an average close to 37.00. Well
Elahi seems to have retired. But Yasir Hamid should have been on that plane to the west indies.

The 2 Guys with the worst average Imran Nazir and Mohammed Hafeez get picked go figure. Talk about playing russian roulette. Even Farhat and Butt have better averages then the aforementioned chumps.

Hamid might not be the most Charismatic person nor the most Photogenic,But he gets the job done.Thats all one shouild expect. But it seems the selectors are picking a team thats gonna look good to the corporate sponsors. Rather than one thats gonna win the world cup.

The comments off Geof Boycott during last years series in England concerning Sami,could equally be applied to several other members off the squad. As Boycott said " I know Sami is a good looking lad. I Am sure the Girls Love him and the sponsors Love him but he is absolutely rubbish"....

Pakistan seems to have the worst opening combination in the worldcup. It seems that Hafeez has been picked largely due to his bowling ability.Then swap his batting position with Malik. Hafeez should bat at 6 or 7 as bowler who can bat a bit. While Malik should open and be seen as a batsman who can bowl a bit.

AS for Kamran Akmal what can one say. Rashid Latif made a suggestion at the end off 2005.Saying that Moin KHan should be used in the one dayers and Akmal in the tests. Stating "I believe that will take the pressure of Kamran and playing only in tests will help him improve his confidence and Wicket keeping skills". Shame no body took any notice.

Why did the board order a tour to south Africa just beforore the World cup? surely they should have learnt something from the debacle of 2003.

I believe they should have organised a domestic tournament between the Pakistan main squad and a pakistan second Eleven with the prize being a selection in to the World cup squad. That way they would been able to try out all the contenders and only the in form players would have been chosen on merit. Surely a better way of selecting a squad.

I also dont understand the whole point off having a selection committee. In most other sports it is the coach who gets to pick the final 11.If a coach is being payed a six figure sum. Surely he should be given the right to choose a team that he believes can play according to his strategy. If the coach despite this does not produce results then you sack him.

I also think that Shariyar Khan despite his flaws was in higher leauge in comparison to Nasim Ashraf. THe good Doctor is on course to being the worst head off Pakistan Cricket in History now that takes some doing.

This could actually be a blessing in disguise. When the team gets back to Pak now, the crowds will stone their houses or something akin. That will have the short-term effect of putting the players in 'activity' mode - which means they'll show up at the WC with a fight. They could reach the semis. By then public adulation will be sky-high and they can afford to lose. Cycle repeats.

Really, Pakistan teams have always survived on talent and these days thats in short supply. Plus, modern cricket has evolved: workload means you get injured more often, if you aren't pro-level fit. And teams are super well prepared these days, so random heists based on individual talent alone are less likelier than bygone days.

Whats my point? In such a situation, inconsistency is the only constant. Hitting this low before the Cup provides a better 'chance' that the inconsistently-good phase begins in the WC.
CHEERS.

To: Bob Woolmer at February 14, 2007 8:05 PM: Please think before you put your fingers on the keyboard. Bob Woolmer is a brilliant coach - he did wonders with South Africa, and he was able to do that because the South African players, unlike your pampered Pakistani players, were professionals who wanted to excell in their sport - when Bob made a plan for them to follow on the field - they followed it - when he makes a plan for the Pakistani players - the idiots who go on the field never follow the plan - as soon as a batsman goes after them, your players are too mentally fragile to stick to the original plan and get destroyed by good batsman. Similarly, when your boys go out to bat, they never follow the plan set by the captain and coach, and panic and end up playing stupid shots to get out. Bob Woolmer isent the players Daddy - and they are not kindergarden boys who need their hands to be held when they are playing for the country. Bob is an excellent coach - his job is to do the planning - which he does - if the players from Pakistan are too stupid, dumb, lazy and unprofessional enough not to follow the most basic of cricketing plans and procedures then they should all be blamed for being the dumbest people on earth. Dont blame other people for the fact that your own players are fools and very much over-rated.

The sorry tale just continues.What can be said about Pakistan chances in world cup?Wll they be skittled out just as they were in 2003 world cup?PCB selectors had four years time to make a fighting unit for the upcomming worldcup.Now the stituation is similar to a studnet who did'nt pay attention to his studies all year around and when the exam is just around he will either give up or will study hard to just make it through.Unfortunately oppositions in international cricket are too cruel to give even slightest margin of error to be "just through".
Selectors have persisted with the bowlers like Rana,Razzak,Iftekhaar Anjum and pinned their hopes that these tidly, stalwart bowlers will bowl in the likes of Shoaib Akhter's pace or Asif's impeaching line and length.Dream on!
Bowlers like Rana,Razzak,Iftekhaar Anjum are good enough to restrict runs when the strikers have taken wickets and the opposition is so much under pressuer that they can get rid of their spell by containing them.If they get wickets, that is a blessing.To depend on them that they will strike is just foolish or probably not foolish only when batsmen have put huge runs on the board.
Why can't the PCB selectors think that when Pak had services of Waseem Akram and Waqar Younis, teams like South Africa and Australia would still win but sometimes loose too.How the hell did they imagined that these bowlers will get blessed by Islamic word "Wahee" and will start acting like strike bowlers.
My point is simple folks, Pakistan at this time has team that we saw in 70's and early 80's which on paper always looked good but not on ground.
Imran Khan gave pakistan big names with real talent and nurtured them to be a fighting unit.Unfortunaely we don't have anyone of his abilities to spot the talent and have enough say in selectorial matters and we don't have talented cricketers in terms big strike bowlers or a consistent match winner batsmen.
As I said Asif to us is what Sarfaraz Nawaz was to the team of 70s and few good inconsistent batsmen similar to the batsmen of 70's.
Ladies and gentlemen don't waste time and energy to watch this worldcup.Just wait for someone with good ego and fighting capabilities to take incharge of "Team Pakistan".Talent which is not currently surfacing in doemstic cricket will come up with good batsmen and bowlers.Above all someone powerful and resourceful, whether its a cricket player who has a say in selection or an honest selector will have to spot the talent and give them chance at the right time.
Look at the reserve announced for the world cup Sami,Shahid Nazir.God!what have we come up to.We all know their current performances,with all the beatings they got in tests and onedayers, and yet they are considered.Yoy know why they are considered because they have the experience to take the brunt of getting hit all around the ground.According to selectors and X-criketers they have a famous saying "Hamarey mulak main bhot talent hai".Oh yeah!are u hiding the talent for ur retiremnt,just as you are hiding the money that ur making by getting under the table or over the table "salaries" for the worst services that they have provided by raising a team that looks down and out.
The fact is there is no F***ing talent as for now and selectors have no choice but to stick with the jerks.They wasted 4 years precious time to end up with injuires,scandals and inconsistent form of the so called "talented bowlers" and to some extent batsmen.
They also have another saying which is quite a rhetoric "Hamarey paas duniya key behtareen bowlers hain after Australia aur Pakistan ke strength us ki bowling hai"Oh please!come out of the 90's as we are in the next century.Gonne are the days of Waseem Akram n Waqar Younis where if our batsmen faultered then one would say the oppostion will be out for a lesser score.
Wake up!we are in the next cenutry and world cup is around the corner and yes last but not the least if experience is so imp that sami can get a nod for being in reserves then why not Waseem Akram or Waqar Younis as they can still be better then the jerks in the team or in reserve.
My final say its far better to get someone new then to get these all tried and tested loosers because atleast the new one will bring hope to all of us.
Dream on guys!this world cup is'nt our till we havce fit Shoiab,sif or Umer Gul.Batsmen will play inconsistently but these bowlers have the chnace to take the team out from low score.
Other than that Dream on!

Heart broken,me and rest of 160 million.
we have no talent.

TO: Aamir Azim (Bob's paid Groupie). Cash your check before posting. If your beloved Bobby the scam artist is such a brilliant coach then why has he managed to lose more series then he has won while coaching Pakistan? And I won't even mentioned other problems and short comings he hasn't managed to overcome, leave alone things he has sabotaged...Secondly if he was so effective and great with the South Africans, why the heck did he leave and if south african players were so professional, then a)he has little to do with their performance and b)he should have stuck with them, instead of making a mockery of himself by coaching a bunch of illiterate pakistani panidoos (Your inferiority complex know no bound).

If his job is to do planning, then what good plans has he ever made? Oh you mean trying 2000 different openers in three years, or is it sticking to bits and pieces allrounders who can't even walk right on the field, let along bat, bowl, or field, or was it the decision to bat first after winning the toss on several occasions, only to bundled out for a subpar score???

Seriously, if your poor old Bobby is having such a torrid time because he is stuck with a bunch of ignorant Pakistani imbeciles then why doesn't he do the dignified and resign or milking PCB or any other sucker is his main forte?

Look, Aamir Azim. If your comments are aimed towards me then you should realize after having read my initial posting that I'm not denying that Bob Woolmer isn't a good coach BUT it seems that he is having trouble putting his message across to the players as English isn't their first language and Imran Khan would do a much better job as coach of the Pakistani team as firstly he speaks the same language as the players and secondly he is an icon in Pakistani cricket and would be an inspiration to the players as coach. Another thing I would like to add is that Wasim Akram should stop wasting his time on Indian bowlers like Irfan Pathan and give a few bowling lessons to our bowlers about line and length cause they are really struggling with bowling to go with their batting. And YES AAMIR AZIM I do know about what great work Bob Woolmer done for South African cricket so their is no denial on that by me so you should read and fully understand what I have written before criticizing my comments. Thanks

Firstly Kamran atlast you realised that kaneria should be part of pakistans world cup squad, he is a match winner and with an attacking captain (ala imran khan) can be a real threat in the ODI format. though with inzis defensive mindset his talents may be wasted.

What i cant understand is how you were so certain in wanting mediocre players such as hafeez and abul rehman and praise for someone like shahid nazir. These players are clearly out of their depth in international cricket.

How different in quality, preparation is the current sqaud going into the 2007 world cup compared to the 2003 world cup sqaud?

2003 -Saeed Anwar, Taufeeq Umar, Saleem Elahi , Younis Khan, Yousuf Youhana Inzamam-ul-Haq, Shahid Afridi ,Abdur Razzaq ,Azhar Mahmood
Wasim Akram, Rashid Latif, Waqar Younis, Mohammad Sami,Shoaib Akhtar
Saqlain Mushtaq

The 2003 sqaud had some good opening batsmen and on paper had a decent middle order look to it. As an ODI player you can say that Muhammed Yousuf has probably improved whereas Younis has faltered to decieve more often then not and Inzamam right now looks like the one that performed so badly in 2003 in S.A

The likes of Razzaq, Afridi have pretty much remained the same and havent really stepped up to that next level interms of performing with any consistancy. On paper the bowling had a world class look to it sadly Wasim, waqar, saqi were all at end of their careers and there powers were passed their best.

Looking at current sqaud we have no decent openers and the middle order again on paper looks decent but with no solidarity at top what base is their to build from. Comparing the form of the two keepers latif v Akmal is like comparing a ferrari to a three wheel van at moment. (such have akmals standards dropped)

The bowling attack right now looks toothless and its only if asif, Gul etc.. are fit then pakistan will have fire power.

Pakistan went to 2003 world cup with a slightly better sqaud then the one they have now in my opinion. The problem is the same fragilities are there in both sqauds. players past there best, an apparent lack of motivation and lack of direction.

Pakistan got thumped 4-1 in S.A before last world cup and were a shambles in the tourney, they have been beaten comprehensively 3-1 in this series and nothing can make me think right now that the same outcome wont occur in the carribean!

after seeing the whole month i beleive that we should try our (B) team in the world cup, they may do better or maybe lift world cup. seeing is believing.

Confessions of a Terminal Pakistan Cricket Fan ...

Dear Lord, perhaps time has come for me to pull my own plug
The pain is too great and the groin too sore from being kicked so much
Either give them a cinch of the passion I have or take my passion for good,
For I truly can take it no more
I am now tired
I am tired of making excuses for them
I am tired of hoping for miracles that don't come
I am tired of seeing people half my years move as if twice my age,
And I am tired of 'Talent' unwilling to apply
I am tired of paying to watch my heart ripped up, spit upon and shoved down my throat
I am so ashamed
I am ashamed of inviting people over to watch and apologizing for what they see
I am ashamed of always saying "Maybe next time"
I am ashamed of stealing my time from my job to watch misery unfold,
And I am ashamed of dozing at work for I did not sleep when I should
I am ashamed of waving my family away and instead letting my passion ride
But I am such a miserable, hopeless case
For tomorrow yet again I will sneak out of my bed at 3 AM,
Pay a pretty penny and watch my cricket team play
I will see another pile of rubbish being bowled,
And yet another Boom Boom that won't
Extras will surely rule their day
I will again be making tea for my friend,
And saying "Maybe today was just not their day"

Pakistan Supreme Court Ruling
A seven year old boy was at the centre of a courtroom drama yesterday when he challenged a court ruling over who should have custody of him.
The boy has a history of being beaten by his parents and the judge initially awarded custody to his aunt, in keeping with the child custody law and regulations requiring that family unity be maintained to the highest degree possible. The boy surprised the court when he proclaimed that his aunt beat him more than his parents and he adamantly refused to live with her.
When the judge suggested that he live with his grandparents, the boy cried out that they also beat him.
After considering the remainder of the immediate family and learning that domestic violence was apparently a way of life among them, the judge took the unprecedented step of allowing the boy to propose who should have custody of him.
After two recesses to check legal references and confer with child welfare officials, the judge granted temporary custody to the Pakistan Cricket Team, whom the boy and the courts firmly believe are "not capable of beating anyone."

We as a nation are a passionate lot. When it comes to cricket... more so. When we lose a seires like this, everyone is looking for a jaw to punch.

Here's what I think:

1) Imran Nazir/ Afridi are entertainers. They like to hit which is good... They usually get out when the top edge the ball. Bob... please get them back on the marble slab and have a machine bowl them bouncers at 100mph and they can only rest once they have successfully hooked or pulled 6 consecutive deliveries without top edging.

2) Sami is an idiot... surey in a nation of 160 million people we can come up with 20-30 decent fast bowlers.... hold on I just remembered India of the 80's... has Rana forgotten how to bowl? Isnt he the same guy that was the scourge of Sehwag when Sehwag was pummelling Shoaib and co? He did not swing the ball in the ODI's... were they using a different ball?

3) Hafeez, another idiot. He set the tone for the last ODI... waste 5 balls, get out on the 6th to break the cycle. Why do we think we can just waste balls bowled outside the offstump.... so if SA bowls 300 balls outside the off... we leave them all? What exactly are we achieving by letting balls through and getting out? Getting used to the pace of the wicket??? Well then when we get out we just wasted 5 balls AND a Pakistani Wicket.... am I the only one irritated at this double whammy?

4) Why is Yousuf a deer in front of headlights when it comes to Pollock... SA has him figured out, his past glories are useless if he cannot get past playing Pollock... Grow up Yousuf... work on your game... Talent will get you NO where... effort will... oh and this was Pakistan's sole batting success story on the trip.
A lot of potential... but no thought behind the play.

5) Younis Khan... Can't say much about him, some bad shots... but overall had the right attitude... needs some luck, should come through.

6)Inzy oh Inzy, why thou art batting past number 6 oh Inzy... boggles the mind. Arent thou the best batsmen (lets forget Captain for a while) of the team)? Why Don't you speak to the other players and use some on field advice? It's painfully obvious your own ideas are not enough against a top team.... neither is your unipolar hope of "trying hard".... the boys are neither trying hard.... nor is "trying hard" the solution to your team's ills... I am curious... what wa sthe plan in the last two ODI's... really what were we trying to do?

7) Akmal... the less said of him the better. He needs some rest... he really does. What has he done right this series... name one thing. He has forgotten the basics... THE BASICS!!! How can you forget how to keep, how to focus, how to watch the ball.... aaaarrrggg! Why didn't we give "whatshisface" the reserve keeper a chance? look at Ntini... bowled much better after a little rest.... Why was Asif played again... are we trying to get him to breakdown before the world cup... well we tried...

I am not sure with the current form of the players that you can expect a whole lot form the selectors...

Here's some free advice for the WC2007.

Lower your expectations and save yourself the grief.

Arif out!!

I agree with you, Mr Abbasi. Except about the frightened rabbits part. That's not Pakistan. It's just the way Inzamam leads them. In your previous post someone put a comment, "My greatest wish is to see Pakistan win the World Cup under sleeping Inzy." That is exactly how he captains. I would like to see a different captain for Pakistan, maybe Razzaq or Malik, but its too late now. And Pakistan have added Shoaib Akhtar to the squad, even though Sami, though injured, is more match-fit than him. He should be in the squad. Yousuf can't be blamed for getting out early. He can't score in every match. People here are insulting Razzaq's bowling, but he has been bowling very well, especially considering he has come from an injury and the paultry totals he has to bowl to defend. And on Akmal, I thought Younis Khan could kep, like he did before and that would give a spot to another player. Razzaq and Malik should get more bowling, Razzaq first-change. Pakistan have reached the World Cup finals twice, in 1992 and 1999, under their best captains. Compare Inzamam to them. At least under Imran Khan or Wasim Akram or Waqar Younis they tried to fight back.

"Pakistan's equipment went missing recently but nobody told us that they'd lost their heart as well.
"

BRILLIANT LINE!

i dont think i have any words that come out at the moment to describe the embarassment that im feeling. its nothing new for us as pakistan fans we are used to the teams tragic attempts at putting up a challenge against teams. When the captain looks dismal and unmotivated in the field how do you expect the rest of the team to perform? Inzamam's face tells the story of Pakistan cricket. The only way to put a smile on it is to lift a World Cup...but the likelihood of that is close to snowfall in the Sahara Desert.

I agree with everyone, but I'm suprised that people are still whinging and moaning. When has pak cricket ever been professional. They are a team of talented individuals who find it impossible to compliment each other. Teams like Australia, SA and some others need to play well as a team to beat each other. In Pakistan cricket only 2 or 3 players (and occasionally just Afridi) need to show a moment of brilliance to blow away the opposition. It is this unpredictable talent that scares other teams s to play no team in world cricket takes Pakistan lightly

Am I embarrassed? NO, not at all. And that's because I could see it coming as clearly as the daylight. Reading your thoughts Kamran, I couldn't help but smile because you remind me of Ghalib... even in your dejection there's hope. But here's a piece of advice from a novice to a doctor: You cannot base your diagnosis on hope sir. While it's great to be optimistic, it's so much more important to be realistic. And so here's my prescription for the team: "AB IN KO DAWA KI NAHI, DUA KI ZAROORAT HAI." sob, sob.

Kamran Abbasi, before you go into a complete state of shock and denial, you must realize that this bunch from Gojra and vicinity is not what you call a team. Teams are built with spirit and purpose over a long period of time. A winning culture is inculcated. Unfortunately, the only culture seems to be "agriculture" over here.

Inzamam has used up the religion card way ahead in advance. It's pretty clear that religion is not making the team perform any better. Now he has no gas left in his tank except his glorious record to derive respect from the players. If he was a thinking man, he would calculate that the World Cup campaign would take that away from him too, because the team doesn't stand a distant chance. I dread at the thought of a humiliating exit of another great player. If I were his advisor, I'd tell him that this is the right time to retire (at least from ODIs). His tired body is sending all the wrong signals to the rest of the team too.

i think its too late to fuss abt team selection n the problem v r facing at the top order of our batting but i think its abt time v should realize tht its the batting order thts costing pak virtualy every single game. pak should send shoib malik at num 3 where he's been so prolific and y not try younis khan as an opener, hell every time he comes out 2 bat he has 2 deal with the new ball and also since every other combination has failed y not send him 2 open or even mohammad yousuf bcoz if pakistan is 2 dictate terms at the start of every game so they can control it then y not send our best batsman upfront, i'd rather c him go n take things to the oppsition's throat rather go n rebuild the lost momentum..and i seriously dont think this pakistan team is as bad as it seems right now its just tht v r not playin with the right batting order. even if the batting clicks in every single game v still need shoib akhtar this cant b done without him i know asif is excellent but v really need a complete lunatic in our bowling ranks to go all the way so lets hope he's there in the world cup .

You know whats more embarrassing than getting thrashed in England and South Africa and whitewashed in Australia? Being world champions and getting thrashed in England and South Africa and whitewashed in Aus!!!
We dont deserve to win the world cup. Let other teams, who atleast give their oponents a fight, battle for the title.

I hope I never see Inzi after the world cup. Woolmer needs to go as well. All he does is overload the team with bits and pieces and hopes somebody somewhere performs and saves Bob's ass. And like Sarah said, kick taliban out of the team plus players who take their spot in the national team for granted like Razzaq. Rana atleast represents his country with a passion and bowls, bats and fields his heart out. He's just going through a bad patch. He did very well last time he toured W.I and I'm sure he'll come good again.

I said this before in a comment to one of your previous blogs and I am saying it again. Inzamam is going in the matches with a defeatist mentality, he is looking to save a match rather than win it. How else can you explain sending Kamran Akmal at four in the batting order.... forget about Imran Khan trying to get Inzamam to bat at 3, now he can't bring himself to bat at 4 or 5 !!????
Get on with it man!! get on with it!! send Shoaib Malik to open with Nazir or send him at 3 if Younis khan cannot handle it there. Yousuf & Inzamam at 4 and 5, and Afridi at 6. FIX this order and for cryin out loud DO NOT send youngsters ahead of you when we are we are in trouble with 3 down for 18 runs.... this is the time for the captain to come in!!!!
I will still back this team up (Who else??) but someone please shake Inzi out of this defeteast mentality.
(Woolmer is a coach and likes to play safe but I still thinks its Inzamam's decisions to send all these youngsters ahead of him and Yousuf).

Following lines were written before the 5th ODI:

I don’t see them as Eleven Cricketers on the Playing Field, I see them as Eleven Ambassadors of Pakistan, however these Eleven Ambassadors do emulate our Foreign Ministry which is non existent. Does anyone in the Team management stress any value of Body language?

Well, we tried a Bowling Coach, a Fielding Coach, instead of all different flavor of Coaches, short of Exorcism, perhaps we should try a Priest now….I think I spoke too soon, they have Mushtaq now. If he doesn’t do the trick, then PCB should request the services of Dr. Phil from US as a Motivation Coach, if he is unavailable, then Jerry Springer be a good choice to settle all the infighting.

PCB may have found a Solution to Eradicating Poverty from Pakistan. According to some Conservative estimates PCB has earned more than Five Hindered Trillion Frequent Flyer Points by Shuttling Players in and out just in the last Two Away series. PCB and PIA are working on a formula to Convert these Points into some Tangible Assets that will be sold to certain “Petro Dollar” Investment Cartel from our Neighborhood and then we will label it as a Foreign Direct Investment. We need few more Away Cricket Series and Pakistan be a Filthy Rich Country.

I just realized that I have a great ability in Predicting the Past. Following was my contribution to the Blog after Pakistan lost the 4th ODI. It is timeless; I wish I could be more Optimistic, but I don’t have to change anything on it:

A Quitter Never Wins and a Winner Never Quits.

Where was the Professionalism, the Fighting Spirit, or even a little Resistance today? Where was the Motivation, Team Spirit, and most of all the Leadership with Balls? Sorry, I forgot, I was talking about Pakistan Cricket Team....

It Hurts to see them go down this way. Giving 1% is not Good Enough...

We need to Stop Drinking Water from the Clouds. There are no Shortcuts to Fitness or any Walk of Life.

I will Turn Sarcasm Off with this Quote from Einstein on his Theory of Insanity which is quite Applicable to our Beloved Team: Insanity is Defined as, "Doing the Same thing over and over Again, Expecting Different Results."

Why Pakistani player had no spirit of fight and why they gave up so easy? no commitment at all? it just does not look right to me.
what happened to Younis, Yousuf, Inzi and Razzaq? They have bailed us out at several occasions. But in this ODI tour they were total disappointment.
If PCB, BOB WOOLMER OR INZI is listening, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, DO NOT TAKE KAMRAN AKMAL and RANA to the Carribeans. Enough is enough! They do not deserve another chance.
I am still hopeful for the better performance by our experienced players in the WC.
Mr. Kamran Abbasi I am embarrassed but being a very passionte and Die Hard supporter of the Pakistani team I am hoping to see a re-energized and full of figthing spirit Pakistani team.
All the best.

Shoaib injured....Gul out of practice...Asif will crack...Afridi banned...

Pakistan should skip this world cup....start working for 2011 world cup...maybe they have a chance at that one..from the look of it...maybe not even 2011 !

I think its time for a restructuring of the PCB...get some ex-players in who know what the game is about (i.e. Imran Khan) And, when it comes to the world cup, Pakistan should forget about it this time round. 12 months ago they were right up there with Aus and SA but in the last 2 months they have shown their lack of commitment and the PCB has shown that they are inept at doing their jobs. How hard can it be to pick a squad? How hard can it be to recognise failure and put it right?

kamran! its a shame that we can't even 'fight' but last two ODI's pak team went down like they were fixing the game or something it is an embarring situation for us , but I can't understand how our team will go home to face the people , these (team) guys are hopeless and only one person stood so tall and I am so proud of this guy ASIF is my hero.Nasim Asharf should withderaw his team from the world cup.

mate i agree with your comments whole heartedly, but i feel that with the inclusion of Shahid Khan Afridi will inspire us to win the World Cup

I have felt the pain of current defeats as much as the next Pak fan but I would like to remind people that Pakistan cricket history is loaded with examples of abject failure followed by glorious success and we should not forget that these are basically the same players that had until recently been winning consistently home and away and conditions in WI will be completely different leading to a strong performance from all Asian teams especially Pak. Let us also not forget about England's recent success against Aus with an inexperienced and in my opinion far weaker ODI team than Pak. It just goes to show how quickly form and results can change in ODI cricket.

So let's put this behind us now and get behind the team for the WC. Good luck boys !!

Kamran you every word is true. We completely lost it today. The whole team seemed numbed, fightless, spiritless, no sign of any last attempt to play for dignity or even play for themselfs. We ned to ask hard question to ourselfs if we wana have any chance to even salvage our pride in world cup. My biggest worry is that our batsman had no technic what so ever to play sloging shots. Especially afridi,razaq,mali,kamran,farhut,inzi when they do slogging their eye hand cordination their foot work their balance and finding a gap is not there. They just close their eyes and hit the ball and pray to allah that it goes out of ground by itself. We need not only to lift our spirit, dignity and pride but also work in nets day in day out until the world cup to straighten up any deficiencies to be able to get to semi finals of the world cup. Kamran the whole nation is feeling embarrassed. The only hope and pray that i had is that this disappointment is short one. Last thing i hope all the pakistani player read your column and the comments on it everyday. They will learn stuff here that they have not learned in their long cricketing years. Allah Hafiz

Dear collegues,
I can understand,why we all are upset.Yes our team put us down.But please understand that south africa is extremely strong generally in oneday and specially in home.If you see there record from last few years none of the team even Australia able to beat them in there backyard. But we should get some positive from the series Pakistan really put South Africa at the wall in test series and if Kallis and Prince didnt play the world class inning .Pakistan would do the wonder. Look at south africa's bowling all there bowling was fresh and fit. Look our bowling,which was tired, weak and unfit. It would be a complete contrast if pakistan would have fit Shoab,Gul and Shabbir. Pakistan batting also become demoralised. I still have high hopes with Pakistan team .People are so upset that they become vulgar(I dont know how they are allowed)and cricketer's faith. If this team is relegious,please think it as a strenght(Yousuf is the most relegious and tablighue,what do you think about him). At least these cricketers are not spending times in the nightclubs or beaches in Westindies and praying in there hotel rooms. I am sure that pakistan team will be different in WC.Please dont loose your hope let me give you three examples. 1)1992, Pak almost ready to come back home and evantually won the wc.2) 2003 india lost from nz test series 2-0(inng defeats) and one day 5-2(experience was so bad that BCCI postpond there 2007 tour to nz prior to wc 2007 and instead of that arrange two home one day series)but india reached in the wc final,only team defeat them was champion australia.3)2006- 2007england thrased in ashes by 5-0 and ready to leave home. But fought back and won the one day series in 14 years and defeat aussies three consecutive time.So please dont loose hope and pray for our team.
Atta-ur-Rehman,MD USA

Don't be so histrionic Kamran.

Remember Italy before the 2006 World Cup? Exactly.

And while we're on football metaphors, what happened to Brazil in 1982 or the Czech Republic for the last ten years, or England last year?

Australia is the only team which is able to maintain the sort of intensity South Africa has recently shown. South Africa did the same thing before the 1996 World Cup, and lo and behold, one Brian Lara innings knocked them out.

All Pakistan needed to win the World Cup was a reasonably sound opening pair (two from Salman Butt, Shoaib Malik and Yasir Hameed) plus its matchwinners which are 1) The middle order, 2) The all-rounders and 3) Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif.

I'm alarmed that the erratic Imran Nazir has replaced more dependable openers, but overall I think the squad is fine.

Australia was crap for the first half of the 1999 World Cup, but won it. And you have the audacity to mention Imran's "Cornered Tigers", but you have forgotten to mention that they lost their first match in the 1992 World Cup by a humiliating 10 wickets and then, after squeaking past Zimbabwe, were all out for 74 against England.

So calm down, Kamran, don't panic, and wait to see the middle-order and all-rounders hurt the opposition, and the match-winning bowlers (Asif, Shoaib, Kaneria and maybe even Rana) strut their stuff.

This is a good team. India did much worse on their South African tour, and no-one is writing them off.

Tell me, Why was Asif playing. The kid has been overworked to the point of exhaustion and now he's picked up an injury. He shoulda been rested. Obviously we weren't gonna win this series so why risk him. We need him to be in top shape for the World Cup, not that it's gonna matter too much since we aint gonna make it to the semis. And i agree with Kamran about Shoaib Malik. He realy has been misused at #7. He was Pakistans most consistent batsmen this series. Oh well i saw this coming. Hopefully Bob and Inzi both go after WC. I meanthings can't possibly get any worse can they?

So many cry babies and nay sayers. India lost to SA 4-0. We lost 3-1. India went on for a landslide victory over WI and now winning SA. We won same way from WI and probably win from SA on our home ground same way SA has won from us. Get up guys this is sports. I see one problem with Pakistani team, opening pair. We loose opener in the first few overs and all the pressure comes on the shoulders of YY and Inzi. How many times we have seen that the opening pair gives us a good start and we still loose a match? In the second match we got a good start from one of the opener and we crushed SA. I am not ashamed of Pakistani teams's performance. They had a long trip with one regular fast bowler. Not bad at all.

My previous comment was on the team squad for the world cup blog. I must say I made a mistake when I chose my first 11 players (playing 11), but not in the choice 15. I stick to my team in low times and high. Guys and Girls, remember its just a game. No need to become all "jazbaati" and hyped up. Imagine yourselves typing in this blog after a thumping win for Pakistan in the 4th ODI against South Africa. One day has changed a lot of minds hasn't it? I personally would like to correct myself here and say that I was wrong in excluding Danish Kaneria from the starting 11 for Pakistan. He is a gritty spinner and in his column, Kamran has mentioned that its one thing successfully defending against him in the tests, but an altogether different ball game when it comes to attacking him in ODI cricket format. Mushtaq Ahmed can finally be utilized as coach now as danish kaneria has finally landed in the squad. Umar Gul and Asif together will prove to be very strong opening bowlers as I foresee. Rana Naveed no doubt has been the best and the worst of Pakistan bowlers at different times, but I know that with his ability, he can come back very strong against most sides. The world cup is another tournament, its another day, and I hope the team can lift their spirits after the loss to S Africa. Inzamam, as I have previously pointed out, has to come up at number three (or four if Younis is keen for no.3). Imran Khan as a bowling all-rounder did that in 1992, and won the World cup. No comments on the Religious beliefs of the team, no matter how much I agree or disagree to them, if they work for team unity, it works in practice. I would give Rana Naveed a game against West Indies to prove himself and then might opt for Azhar Mahmood as his replacement, for which Azhar needs to be included in the squad, sadly he is not.
PCB cannot take any credit from a winning Pakistan team under current practices. They need to get their act together. The team might still end up winning a lot, just based on pure talent and skill. Bob Woolmer is a good coach despite this series loss. The coach can train, plan, make the team practice, but he can't go out in the field 6 down to bat for them. the batsmen have to score runs. the bowlers take wickets, and the keepers more importantly nowadays have to take the catches. Good luck pakistan. I am hopeful and I support my team.

I completly agree with everything and every die hard pakistani fan like myself.It's a damn shame that these people call themselves professionals.I mean in the united states you can't watch cricket as easily as in pakistan or a cricketing nation you have to love the game to still pursue it.I am really tired of reading about pakistan's lame embarresments on cricinfo and tired of feeling like a six-year-old dissapointed in a promise made by someone who never really meant to keep it.It's just so disheartening to read that shoaib might not even play in his last world cup or that pakistan have half a team.The most frustrating part is that everyone knows that pakistan have more than the potential needed to make a straight run right to the world cup but the way in which the entire managment is run is less than rubbish they should just let some guy off the streets of karachi head the PCB because at least he will care about more than himself HE will have pride of being a pakistani supporter HE will have a heart and, even HE, will do much much better than anyone is in the entire managment now.BUT,and there is a big BUT.............. u can't help but deep down inside(really deep down) think that all this is a nightmare and SOMEONE out of SOMEWHERE will jump out and scream "PSYCHE!!!!!!" and pakistan will be back to their winning ways and everyone will come back and click and the world will watch in amazement as they make their way to their second title of champs.Sounds like a dream? I would'nt put it past them not this bunch they fluctuate as much as the electricity does in the country's cities and they can come back and take all this criticism and each player comes back and proves the world wrong and i can finally keep my head up high and say: "yes i am a pakistan team supporter...."and dare i say it"the world champions' supporter"?

To Farhan Arif: What most pakistan fans are disappointed with is the manner in which the team lost most of the matches. As others have already mentioned many times over, its ok to lose to a team if you go down fighting. Getting whipped by 9 or 10 wickets day in day out despite being regarded as a talented team shows a lack of dedication, strategy, discipline, fighting spirit, and match fitness. A less skillful team with all of the aformentioned qualities will always stand a better chance of winning matches.

I believe SA is less talented than Pakistan...on paper...but whips theirs sorry bums because of their dedication, discipline and hardwork. And they always put up a fight.

Pakistan's world cup squad looks very average. i am so dissapointed in the squad that has picked - it lacks balance.

Yes kamran i was embarrassed by our pathetic display today but not surprised as there are too many bits and pieces and mediocre players that have been selected and the batting order sucks with yousuf and inzi as low as 5 and 6.

The only way the current squad could win the world cup is if they are all fit, no drugs cloud hanging over shoaib and asif, and the best 11 is picked from the 15 and that 11 has to play every single match (super eight onwards) as we are so thin on back up with club cricketers like rao and hafeez.

Ive waited four years for this tournament after our abysmal exit last time round and to be honest looking at the squad and the uncertainties with injuries i am not looking forward to it.

I dont know why all the comparisons are being made to India. So the fact that Pakistan lost to SA by a slightly less embarrassing margin makes it all ok ? This is the herd mentality that needs to be avoided - just beating India or performing better than India is not ok. Pak should strive to match or exceed the high standards set by Australia (and to a lesser extent, SA). The Pak team has to measure their prowess against the best in the world, not just their next door neighbors. Wake up people, this isn't 1947 anymore. Jeez.

Thanks FJ, I totally agree to the facts about SA and their dedication, hard work, spirit and discipline. no team can defeat another like they did to Pakistan without those qualities. All I want to emphasise on is that this is our team. even before the 1992 world cup, our team was known to be weak and inexperienced, compared to others. In ODI cricket, 5 overs can tilt the game. I know our team had lost the vigour, the strength and will power to win and hence lost by 10 and 9 wickets bringing us all disappointments and humiliation, but they are the same team that have brought us honours so many times. Although I am a yasir Hameed and Azhar mahmood fan, I must say that the selectors have more experience than us all and hopefully their faith will be vindicated. I would like Kamran to just answer a question of mine that i have had since I started reading his blogs:

Do the selection committee and PCB ever ask for feedback and advice from commentators/ journalists/ ex coaches/ ex players or technical advisors on matters?

In Mohammad Hafeez, Pakistan have opted for a bowling option, and Imran Nazir is included as a hitter, not consolidator. I think in Danish Kaneria, on the west Indies' dry, rough tracks, we have the best spin bowler taking away Muralitharan in ODI cricket. I am not speaking of his record, but his potential here, as his lack of utilization in ODI means the world knows lesser about him in terms of being able to attack his bowling. There is one person really struggling to keep his place in the side. I hope his fortunes change soon, because believe it or not, its Inzamam- ul- Haq. The way out for him is to lead from the front. My message to the team now is : relax, recuperate, rebuild, plan. We have faith in you, but do have enough?

Yo we need to get some Ice hockey trainers for Pakistan. Those guys are always in great condition night in and night out. And they play way more then our cricketers. Lets get some of those trainers and get our guys fit so there is are no more pulled groins or hamstrings.

I believe simply the if the head is weak so shall that effect the body. Pakistan's cricket slection committee is become quite shamble from these "not fit" labels" on player and Mr. Woolmer either needs to grip his team not his country, his devotion to this team is questionable to say the least. Mr. Woolmer or should Mr. S.A. why dont you defend your team players as well as bring the person who helped your bowler improve back, Mr W. Younis, why not show some point of spirit and your knowledge. Well also I think we need another Imran Khan, which is highly unlikely, to kick some rears and show some backing for their team not the selection committee. You have some make ex-players who want to help improve the game. Why not use them???? We also need a better coach may be from the Homeland who will fight for his team as well as push them full throttle into may be winning the next World Cup category.

I have come to the conclusion STOP THINKING ABOUT PAKISTAN WINNING THE WORLD CUP....i think they will not go beyond super 8s.....what a waste of money and time .....

To -***ZARAK KHAN -
We are in the same boat buddy ... AHH, can't get rid of this passion, no matter how hurt and bruised we are ..
"I am ashamed of stealing my time from my job to watch misery unfold,
And I am ashamed of dozing at work for I did not sleep when I should"

I couldn't stop smiling for a while after reading this. As exactly i am doing the same thing.

Kamran bhai do us a huge favour : Tell Bob woolmer and Inzi that they are lazy idiots !!

indeed kamran bhai, sure i am embarrassed by a pethatic display of cricket from pakistani team...no resistance or fighting back strategy is seen by our national hero's..what happen to the skipper...some thing should be done about him....IF indian cricket board can sack ganguly on a bad performance, then why not let ...inzimam go...?..he is not above any one ....he did not performe well in this ODI series..and his "chamcha's" razzaq,and kamran akmal are even worst then any other players...why are they still around...i would say..to PCB..we are not winning the world cup,,lets just send an entire new team with the exception of "afridi,moyo,and probably younas....make afridi a captain...i bet this will be a much better team then the current jokers ..playing for pakistan....

so now pakistani team is missing its shame and pride too. I thought it was merely their batting ... errr equipment lost. I have seen Bangladesh, Holland and even Canadian team show more heart than these superstar. It is the same story year after year. I remember the match when Pakistan was 17 for 7 wickets (against WI I believe) and Zaheer Abbas then helped the team go to 60 all out. I remember the match when pakistan was beaten like a school team by India in last world cup. And I remember today (and 11th Feb) when Imran Nazir (and may be Younis) played like men. Inzi played like a street player again. You would guess that someone who has scored over 10000 runs will have a bit of class, but he still shuffles in his crease at the start of the innings. I mean what did he learn in last 17 years if he still does the same mistake. Sure he is a great batsman, but did he actually play for pride today? Fine, Imran and Hafeez and Younis and Yousuf failed, but where is the captain's knock. Last time we saw that was in England. Then we compare him with players like Ponting and Tendulkar and Lara. Only if Younis hadn't done that blunder before the Champions Trophy, Inzi would have lost his captaincy.

So where does this lead us now - as usual, the street players will play in the world cup like every other time - full of uncertainty. Here is something I have observed, SA, AUS etc batsman come out with confidence at its peak and starts going down if they can't play properly. Pakistani batsmen go out with confidence at zero and start building up. I mean, this is enough. I hope the WC will yield something more exciting than this performance.

Let's see ...

I totally agree with you, Kamran! I think positive and am not an emotional person. I always support Pakistan even in the defeats. But last 2 games, they way our team played, it was a display of depression and embarrasement. That made us sick! The team turned the whole nation down. INZY must provide us an explanation. I would be mad to hear from him "Jee! boyz were tired in the end of series" upon his return to home.

forget everything else DUMP INZIMAM first and foremost,look at atleast the last 10 to 12 ODIs what has he done besides being a lousy fielder and a lethargic uninspiring captain ? just prayers and beards which are getting longer by the day instead of batting averages won't cut it, a big fat ZERO,time to DUMP INZI !!!!!!

everryone is pouring their heart out but unfortunately none of our national players will be able to understand our emotions because its ENGLISH.MR Abbassi talk in PUNJABI.

wow i am astonished to see so many ppl write about the way pakistan lost ... n i am truely embaressed by performence of pakistan in da last two matches ... itz not the defeat hurts its the manner in which we were defeated hurts, i have been there personally in a situation where some guys just dun show any spirit or any thought of fight they just dun care enuff to feel for the loss, yes im talkin abt small local matches bt there are some who i have seen given there heart and soul till the very last run..... but today it was so sad that pakistan showed no charecter when asif took a wicket it looked as if they are like the old boys from 90's who just want to win to matter what when it matters ... im not that big fan of shoaib but even he has a sprit may it be for fame or what ever but he gives in a fight which i din see today from inzamam .. i mean by saving asif's 5 overs what did he think he would b able to achieve ? i mean if you are gonna go down atleast pick your gun and shoot rather dan dyin in a foxhole .... n personally i feel razzak has jus lost intrest in cricket the way he has bowled shows no intent of any enthusiasm its like seeing a robot bowl just doin it as a job rather then doing something out of passion n pride.playing a sport should be about you being passionate of the game rather dan thinkin it as your job n then playing for your country is something so remarkable that itself shud be enuff to b motivated

Now its up to the players only... they should realize that millions of people are depending on them and step up to the opportunity. We are forced to question the commitment of the team since they are failing to even put up a fight. Fine, we loose, but all of us would like to see a team that goes down fighting. **
Spirit and self belief, that is all what is needed in our side. Pakistani team has the potential to win the worldcup, its a deep down dangerous gut feeling i have.

PCB and Inzi did not select team on performance.
This is the result of their injustice.

Inzi special blessings to Kamran Akmal, Abdul Razak, Sohaib Malik & Naveed-ul-Hasan brought this result.

Careless wicket keeper was failed in whole series but Inzi never tried second wicket keeper. Still PCB could replace him by Sarfraz Ahmed or Mohammad Salman.

I am sure they will give better performance than Kamran Akmal.

Naveed ul hasan is in terrible form.
PCB could give chance to Anwar Ali, young fast bowler who was our hero in the under 19 world cup and doing very good in current Quaid-e-Azam trophy.

Abdul Razak is completely lost his form.

Inzamam or PCB could try in form young all rounder Fawad Alam,
he is doing wonderful in the domestic cricket.

By himself Inzi performance is declining very fast.

Our batting was terrible in whole series, especially openers.
Asim Kamal was there but he was sent without any appearance in the game.

Inzamam time is over.

Inzi, for the sake of Pakistan cricket team,
please announce ur retirement b4 the world cup.

Inshallah, we will win world cup easily without you and ur dectorial captain ship.

MERIT is essential for any win.

This is the result of the selection.
PCB and Inzamam should learn lesson and ask ALLAH to forgive them.
We want change in the world cup.
Captain performance with bat and head was terrible.

Gulab Khan
Peshawer

I think the Pakistan team is very down at the moment. The players have lost their spirit and perhaps their energy, this is clearly shown in their fielding. The players are not taking responsibility whether it is their batting or bowling. The openers and the batsmen below Mohammad Yousuf with the eception to shoib malik are not taking responsibility at the crease and trying to build a total for the team, they just play rash shots. The back up bowlers looked out of their league against S.A batsmen, especially Rana Naved who has become a burden on the team.It seems as if Pakistan haven't groomed enough players at home or the selectors are making bad decisions but having a team filled with allrounders isn't right, especially when they don't fire most of the time. The one thing that has eluded Pakistan's grasp for a very long time is consistency. But Pakistan is a team to pull out surprises and I am expecting one this time.

yes...it was very dissapointing, but there is always another way to look at this. I would "like" to think that Pakistan needed to go through such humiliation before the WC so they can realize their problems before the WC even starts. Do you really thing India, SA etc. are in a better position because they are winning in their own backyar